Farscape | |
Issue # | 1 |
Release Date | September 4, 2024 |
"Farscape 25th Anniversary Special" is a one-shot Farscape comic released for the 25th anniversary of the series. It was published by BOOM! Studios under the Archaia imprint and consists of four short stories written and illustrated by various creators.
It features an introduction by series creator Rockne S. O'Bannon, with personal anecdotes by Shobo Coker and Arne Ratermanis. The final pages include two "Script to Page" sections (with excerpts of the scripts from issues 2 and 4 of the original comic) and a cover gallery. Additionally, artist Sina Grace provides a one-page illustration.
The comic was announced via a Kickstarter campaign on February 27, 2024.[1] The main cover features artwork by Steve Morris, with variants by Vincenzo Riccardi and Ariel Olivetti. Nimit Malavia created an exclusive cover for supporters of the Kickstarter campaign.
"Be Not Afraid"[]
- Writer: Sarah Gailey
- Illustrator: Stefano Simeone
- Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Synopsis[]
Moya develops a fungal infection, causing her temperature to rise as an immune response. Aeryn Sun, who, as a Sebacean, is susceptible to heat delirium, is close to death. Pilot tells Zhaan that the fungus is most closely concentrated in her quarters, so she goes to investigate. Using a process called commutation, Zhaan talks to the fungus and discovers it is the same one she used to forcibly use for nutrients when she was imprisoned by the Peacekeepers. During that time, Zhaan produced fungal spores instead of typical Delvian pollen. Until now, one of those spores remained dormant. The fungus is now growing across Moya in search of minerals so it can complete its feeding cycle, which will ultimately end in its death.
Zhaan apologizes to it and says she's changed, and the two strike a deal: Zhaan will allow the fungus to use the minerals in her body, and in return, the fungus will teach her to be unafraid of death. The fungus then disperses its spores and leaves Moya. When asked what Zhaan gave up for the fungus to move on, Zhaan says, "Nothing so important as what it gave to me."
Characters[]
- Aeryn Sun, D'Argo, John Crichton, Moya, Pilot, Rygel, Zhaan
"Do Leviathans Dream of Biomechanical Sheep"[]
- Writer: Cameron Chittock
- Illustrator: Ornella Greco
- Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Synopsis[]
After passing through a Rheumian Cloud, Moya falls asleep. This causes several of her key functions, such as gravity stabilization, to go in and out of service. When Moya's erratic flying leads the crew to think she may be having a bad dream (with Scorpius, Natira, and Staleek shown as examples), they employ a variety of methods in an attempt to wake her up. Crichton and Aeryn clang their guns on the wall, Zhaan and Chiana set off a noise bomb, and D'Argo and Rygel enable every alarm possible.
However, Pilot manages to find what Moya is dreaming about: an image of the crew happy together. It's decided to let Moya be until the Cloud's effects dissipate, with Crichton commenting, "It's going to be a bumpy ride, but let's keep it going for as long as we can."
Characters[]
- Aeryn Sun, Chiana, D'Argo, John Crichton, Moya, Pilot, Rygel, Zhaan
"The Hynerian Prisoner"[]
- Writer: Keith R. A. DeCandido
- Illustrators: Francesco Mortarino and Christian Prunesti
- Colors: Charlie Kirchoff
- Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Synopsis[]
In a tavern on the planet Nag-Gon, Chiana meets a man named Juurdan. She claims to be an attaché to a Hynerian nobleman (Rygel) who has been arrested. She notes that he often buys her jewelry, leading Juurdan to notice a precious gem, called a Ro'Gess Gem, around her neck. Chiana continues her story, claiming that only Rygel has immediate access to his currency, so she doesn't have the money to bail him out. Juurdan agrees to lend Chiana the money, and she gives him a brooch as collateral.
Juurdan later confides in his partner Kra that Chiana and her boss are probably the same Nebari and Hynerian wanted by the Peacekeepers. Juurdan confronts Chiana and Rygel outside their transport pod. He holds them at gunpoint, demanding the Ro'Gess Gem and threatening to call the PKs on them. After Chiana and Rygel argue over what to do, they give in and hand over the Gem.
When Juurdan arrives at Kra's office, the Nag-Gon Lawgivers are arresting Kra for possession of stolen jewelry. They quickly arrest Juurdan for the same thing. Apparently, Rygel and Chiana stole the jewelry themselves and needed a way to pawn it off on someone else. On their transport pod, they celebrate successfully pulling off the scam.
The story is dedicated to Gigi Edgley and Jonathan Hardy.
Characters[]
- B'Ryll, Chiana, Juurdan, Kra, Lawgivers, Rygel
"A Cycle of Chores"[]
- Writer: Zac Thompson
- Illustrator: Simona di Gianfelice
- Colors: Valentina Pinto
- Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Synopsis[]
Pilot, proud of his life of service to others, describes some of his mundane, often overlooked duties, such as ensuring Chiana's quarters remain warm when a breeze passes through Moya. Pilot goes on to say that most days go without incident, with occasional curiosity into his and Moya's doings by the crew.
As another year passes with little recognition of his hard work, Pilot laments, "I wish pride were enough." One day, the crew surprises Pilot with a birthday party, much to his elation. The crew shares their appreciation of Pilot and all he's done for them. When Pilot asks how they found out it was his birthday, Crichton says that although it took a while to piece together, they noticed that one day every year, he takes them to see the beautiful view of a certain planet.
Characters[]
- Aeryn Sun, Chiana, D'Argo Sun-Crichton, John Crichton, Moya, Pilot,
Covers[]
Sources[]
- ↑ Kickstarter, "FARSCAPE 25th Anniversary Comic Book Celebration" by BOOM! Studios